The world’s passports have been ranked for 2026 (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The world’s ‘most powerful passport’ for 2026 has been revealed and holders can get access to 192 countries. Given the average passport can get you access to 108 destinations, it’s an impressive document.
Singapore has once again topped the global rankings in the Henley Passport Index, which ranks the travel documents based on how many countries you can visit visa-free. This includes countries where you may need a tourist visa on arrival, but won’t need to go through a formal visa application process ahead of time.
Anyone holding a Singaporean passport can currently enter 192 countries without needing to apply for a visa, four more than the joint second destinations Japan, South Korea and the UAE at 188 countries.
As for the UK, we’ve got a bit of catching up to do; at the time of writing, the UK was joint sixth with Poland and Hungary, with visa-free access to 184 countries. Britain actually climbed up in the rankings since the start of the year, after securing visa-free access to China and Malawi.
The index was first launched in 2006, with Singapore in eighth place at the time. Since then, it’s continued to climb the rankings and has held the top spot for a few years.
The Henley Passport Index looks at 199 different passports across 227 travel destinations, including the UN’s list of member states, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwna, which it says are “listed separately from China as they confer different access rights”.
You can find out more on henleyglobal.com.
For UK passport holders, rules for travel to Europe are set to change with the introduction of the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The launch was originally scheduled for 2026 but has been delayed, but when it is implemented it will apply to short stays of up to 90 days for the likes of tourism or business.
Unlike a full visa, ETIAS will be linked to your passport, and all you’ll need to do is apply online before you travel. It’s expected to cost around £17 per person when you submit the application.
The system is set to launch sometime in 2026 and will apply to short stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit.
Unlike a visa, the ETIAS is a digital authorization that is linked to your passport and is approved online before you travel. This visa waiver program simplifies entry for short-term visitors while enhancing security measures. It will apply to all 27 Schengen Area nations as well as Cyprus, although the exception will be Ireland.
In the meantime, Brits are already facing new border rules for EU countries under the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires UK travellers to register their biometric data when arriving at the border, including fingerprints and getting their photo taken.
The EES has caused significant delays at a number of major airports, so factor in extra time if you are planning to head abroad; although it’s worth noting that Greece has temporarily waived the EES during the peak summer season.